updated 10:35 am EDT, Mon June 2, 2008

Apple foregoes Apple Expo

Despite having its name attached, Apple itself will not be participating in the 2008 Apple Expo in Paris, France, people organizing the event are said to have learned. Apple would normally have clearly designated spaces at the Expo, say the sources, identified as "Apple" and "Apple Store;" in plans for the 2008 event, these names are nowhere to be found. Organizing company Reed Expositions is expected to make some form of announcement one way or another later this week, with the event itself being scheduled for September 17th to the 20th.

Apple is meanwhile said to be preparing its first official Apple Store for France, located at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The store should occupy two floors and 7,700 square feet. The location is of strategic importance, as some 9 million people are said to visit it annually, including 40 percent of tourists. Apple's other retail stores have typically been restricted to US, the UK, Canada and Japan, although expansion is underway in countries such as Italy and Australia.